Mr Boyle also claimed that two teachers were conducting an affair on the school premises and that a nun, possibly a lesbian, was counselling girls, although the tribunal made no finding on that.

The father of three is now working in another school but he said: "My career is ruined. I feel I will have some sort of breakdown if I stay in teaching."

Mr Boyle has resigned from his present school and will leave in July. "I do not know what I will do next," he said. "I cannot see myself returning to teaching."

A psychiatric report read by the tribunal revealed that Mr Boyle has been receiving treatment and taking antidepressants since November 2001.

The tribunal has now recommended that Sister Bernadette Davey, head of Virgo Fidelis, undergo management training with specific reference to human resources. The school is not appealing against the tribunal ruling but John Finnin, chairman of governors, has written to parents urging them to back Sister Bernadette, who has since been made a Reverend Mother, "for a job well done".

Mr Boyle's NASUWT representative Tom Real, on long-term sick leave from Virgo Fidelis since the beginning of 2002 because of bullying, is consulting a barrister on Monday about taking action against the school.

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